Ref.: 106.2018
The Israeli military launched an extensive series of attacks on Monday and Tuesday, 12-13 November 2018, that targeted residential buildings and civilian objects throughout the Gaza Strip. The bombardment followed an operation conducted by Israeli forces on Palestinian territory that resulted in the killing of at least seven people in Khan Younis, south Gaza. The Israeli military strikes caused massive destruction to property, including to Al Mezan's office, displacement of families, and spread intense fear among the population.
The documentation by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights shows that the Israeli air forces launched tens of airstrikes on residential buildings, agricultural lands, and sites of Palestinian factions. At least six Palestinians were killed in the strikes, and 28 more were wounded-five of them children and four of them women. Al Mezan recorded the airstrikes in each of the five districts as follows:
North Gaza district:
. At 5:40pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, an Israeli warplane fired one missile at a site of a Palestinian faction in the north of Boret Abu Samra, Beit Lahia, in the North Gaza district. Mohammed Al-Tatari, 27, a resident of Jabalia refugee camp, and Mohammed Ouda, 22, a resident of Beit Hanoun city, were killed in the airstrike.
. At 9:25pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at the house of Tala'at Abu Naji in Al-Shanti neighborhood in the southwest of Jabalia. One person was injured in the attack and the house was completely destroyed.
. At 9:15am on Tuesday, 13 November 2018, Israeli warplanes fired one missile at a piece of agricultural land in the west of Beit Lahia.
Khaled Al-Sultan, a 25-year-old farmer and resident of Beit Lahia, was killed and his body shredded by the missile, according to doctors at Indonesia Hospital. Mahmoud Al-Toom, eight, was moderately injured in the attack, with his face and hands hit by shrapnel.
Gaza City district
. In short succession beginning at 11:10pm on Monday, 13 November 2018, Israeli drones fired eight missiles at the building of Al-Amal Hotel in the west of Gaza City. At 11:25pm, Israeli warplanes levelled the five-story building. Al-Amal housed an office of the Internal Security Apparatus. The massive airstrikes caused substantial damage to nearby houses, shops, and communication and electricity networks. Al Mezan's head office, located nearby, was also damaged, with doors, windows, and furniture destroyed.
. In short succession beginning at 4:55am on Tuesday, 13 November 2018, Israeli drones fired nine missiles at a residential building owned by Naji Al-Yazji, 51. At 5:20am, Israeli warplanes levelled the five-story building that was made up of 17 residential apartments and a sports center.
The airstrikes caused partial damage to tens of houses and shops nearby.
. At 10:30pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, an Israeli drone fired one missile at the house of Rashed Al-Aydi, 52, in Al-Naser neighborhood. The one-story house was substantially damaged.
. In short succession beginning at 10pm on Monday, 12 November 2018,
Israeli drones fired six missiles at a residential building on Al-Oyon Street. Owned by Fatina Al-Shaqra, 60, the four-story building, housing eight offices, was attacked again at 10:25pm the same day with four missiles, causing it's complete destruction. Nearby houses and a popular restaurant were also damaged in the airstrikes.
. In short succession beginning at 20:40pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, Israeli drones fired nine missiles at the four-story building of Al-Aqsa TV station. At 9:20pm, Israeli warplanes fired four missiles at the building, completely destroying it and causing substantial damage to nearby houses, apartments, and shops.
. At 3:45am on Tuesday, 13 November 2018, Israeli warplanes fired four missiles at the Ansar government complex, destroying one of its buildings. The airstrikes caused partial damage to tens of houses nearby.
. At 10:40am on Tuesday, 13 November 2018, an Israeli drone fired one missile at a group of residents from the Al-Zaitoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Mosab Hous, 21, was killed in the airstrike, and three other residents were wounded by shrapnel. Doctors at Al-Shifa Hospital stated that the injuries ranged from moderate to serious.
Middle Area district:
. At 5:30pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, three persons, of them a child and a woman, were injured when shrapnel of a missile fired from Israel's Iron Dome system fell on their house in Wadi Al-Salqa, in the southeast of Deir Al-Balah. The three sustained light injuries and were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital.
. At 4:30pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, Israeli warplanes fired at least two missiles at a group of people in eastern Al Bureij refugee camp.
No casualties were reported.
Khan Younis district:
. At 8pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, an Israeli drone fired five missiles at the three-story home of Nasrallah Al-Breem, 66, in Bani Suhaila town in the east of Khan Younis. At 8:10pm, Israeli warplanes leveled the house. At 8pm, the two-story house of Al-Breem's brother, Sami, 56, was targeted with one missile by an Israeli drone, causing substantial damage to it.
Rafah district:
. At 5:50pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, an Israeli drone fired one missile at the four-story house of Abdallah Lafi, 73, in the neighborhood of Al-Jinaina in Rafah. Home to six families and located on a space of 150 square meters, the house was partially damaged in the airstrike. Abdallah Al-Shaer, ten, was wounded by shrapnel that hit him in the face.
. At 7:35pm on Monday, 12 November 2018, Israeli warplanes targeted the house of Mohammed Dhair, 38, in the neighborhood of Musabeh in the northwest of Rafah. The airstrike resulted in the complete destruction of the building, which was used to receive guests and to run his livestock business. Dhair's nearby home, which housed his nine family members, was attacked by Israeli drones and then also completely destroyed in attacks by warplanes.
. At 10:35pm on Tuesday, 13 November 2018, an Israeli drone fired one missile at two persons riding a motorcycle in Al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. Both were injured-one of them critically, according to doctors at Abu Yousef Al-Najar Hospital, and he was transferred to the Gaza European Hospital.
Al Mezan strongly condemns the escalation in force against the population in the Gaza Strip and expresses its deep concern that should the ceasefire fail these attacks could be the beginning of a full-scale offensive. As witnessed in the last three massive assaults on Gaza, women, children, older people and people with disability bear the brunt of the blatant lack of respect for international law that underpins the conduct of the Israeli military. The unlawful conduct is allowed to continue by the international community's failure to challenge the state of immunity that Israeli forces and government leaders enjoy.
Al Mezan therefore calls on the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to promptly act against Israel's military escalation, to fulfill their obligations to protect civilians, and to ensure respect for the rules and norms of international law.
Press Release Link:
http://www.mezan.org/en/post/23315
Press Release on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MezanCenter/posts/2041245335925930
Press Release on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AlMezanCenter/status/1062712984739463169
For more information, please contact at Al Mezan Center for Human Rights office in Gaza City
on: +970 8 2820442/7 between 08:00 and 15:00 (6:00-1:00 GMT) Sundays through Thursday.